Phonograph record album



Feb. 24, 1948.

L. A. CHOUINARD PHQNOGRAPH RECORD .ALB'UM Filed Dec. 4, 1944 I YINIVENTOR. V

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Patented Feb. 24,1948

ElT-ED PAT-EN FE This invention relates to improvements in phonograph record albums and is directed-more particularly to albums having means for guiding records into the pockets-- orenvelopes thereof.

The: principal objectsof the invention are directed tothe provisionof 'means for an album for phonograph records to facilitate insertion of records in the pockets-or envelopesthereof.

The means of the invention is adapted to: be incorporated in existing albums or it may be incorporated in the manufacture of albums.

The invention is simple in form so as to be economical to manufacture while, by reason of its novel construction, it is efficient for the purpose intended.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the form of the invention which, for purposes of disclosure, will be described in the form at present preferred.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an album to explain how a group of records may be slipped therein;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the album shown in Fig. 1 with the cover removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the record guiding device of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the guiding device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the invention will be fully described.

An album 2 has covers 4 that are hinged to a back 6. There are a plurality of envelopes or pockets such as 8, in the ordinary phonograph record album that have open upper sides. These are usually hinged together at an adjacent side for independent relative swinging movements.

Opposite side members It] of the pockets are, of course, joined at the side and bottom l2 and M. The hinge construction for the pockets includes spacers l6 between which are disposed the edge portions of adjacent members ID of the envelopes. These spacers and end edge portions are secured together and to the back .6 of the album.

The side members IQ of each pocket are secured together up and down through a stripe indicated by dot-dash lines 18. They are not so secured for a distance downwardly from the open upper sides of the pockets.

A guiding device 20 is provided which may be formed from a sheetof material'that is more or less yieldable or flexible, or it may be formed in other ways, as-by a molding operation or the like.

In the formof the invention shown, a sheet is folded to-have side portions 22' and guideways 24'.

The side portion may overlie the outer sides of' the endmost'pockets. Adjacent side members iii of adjacent pockets extend between the guidways, see'Fi'gsA'and 5.

In this way the guideways extend into the openings of the pockets. The parts of the device 20 and the side members it) of the pockets are secured together by some suitable means such as a rivet 26.

It will be noted that the guideways extend into the pockets or between the side members I!) of the pockets so as to hold the sides of the pockets apart so as to guide a record thereinto.

With the device associated with an album all of the records may be inserted in their respective envelopes simultaneously. In the form of the invention shown there are three pockets for three records R. The album is held by one hand in upright position with its upper edge inclined from the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1. The records are grasped by the other hand and the lower edges thereof are placed between the side portions 22 so that said edges are guided into the guideways 24. Then they are rolled forwardly along the guideways which separate the records and direct them into their respective pockets.

It is desired that the device be made from more or less yieldable material so that the guideways accommodate themselves to records of various thickness. At least the parts thereof nearest the openings in the envelopes should be more or less yieldable.

As stated, the guiding device may be made from a sheet or strip of material for associating with an existing album, or it may be made a part thereof, or if desired, it may be formed by a molding or other operation.

Various changes may be made in the form of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and it is desired to be limited by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description.

What I claim is:

1. An album construction for phonograph records comprising in combination, a plurality of separate adjacent pockets each having opposite side members secured together at lower longitudinal and adjacent transverse edges with their upper longitudinal edges being separable, hinged connectionsat corresponding transverse edges of the pockets whereby said pockets may swing relative to one another, a member at the upper longitudinal edge of the pockets adjacent the hinged connections having upwardly extending slots receiving adjacent side members of adjacent pockets and guideways therebetwcen extending downwardly into the pockets between the opposite side members thereof having spaced opposite side portions spacing said side members apart and adapted to receive edge portions of records for guiding them into said pockets, and means securing said member to said album construction.

2. An album construction for phonograph reoords comprising in combination, a plurality oi. separate adjacent pockets each having opposite side members secured together at lower longitudinal and adjacent transverse edges with upper longitudinal edges being unsecured providing open mouths, hinged connections at corresponding transverse edges of the pockets whereby said pockets may swing relative to one another, a strip of material bent back and forth in opposite directions forming upwardly extending slots re ceiving adjacent side members of adjacent p0ck ets and guideways between the slots extending downwardly-into said pockets between the side members thereof arranged to guide records into said pockets, said slots and guideways disposed LAWRENCE A. CHOUINARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

vUNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 975,627 McCloy Nov. 15, 1916 1,032,644 Baker July 16, 1912 1,098,154 Housh May 26, 1914 1,186,312 Hanselmann June 6, 1916 1,304,145 Belcher May 20, 1919 2,194,828 Greaves Mar. 26, 1940 2,345,230 Bender Mar. 28, 1944 

